kitio.aiConsensus vs Vane
A side-by-side look at pricing plans, free tiers, features, pros and cons, updated for 2026. Vane is completely free, while Consensus is freemium.
At a glance
Best for
Pricing model
Starting price
Free plan
Made by
Based in
Rating
Key features
- Answers from research papers
- Consensus Meter
- Deep Search reviews
- Study filters
- Citation export
- Cited answers
- Bundled SearXNG
- Local model support
- Focus modes
- Docker deployment
| Feature | Consensus | Vane |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | AI search engine that answers questions from peer-reviewed studies | Self-hosted open-source AI search engine, formerly Perplexica |
| Category | Research & search | Research & search |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | See pricing page | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes, fully free |
| Made by | Consensus | ItzCrazyKns |
| Based in | United States | – |
| Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Key features |
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Pricing compared
Vane is completely free, while Consensus is freemium.
Free plan
Cheapest paid plan
Top plan
Free trial
Prices in USD, checked Oct 28, 2026 or later. Plans change often, so confirm on each tool's site before you buy.
Pros and cons
Consensus
- Answers grounded in studies
- Useful study-quality filters
- Easy for non-experts
- Free plan has few Pro searches
- Simplifies nuanced findings
Vane
- Fully private when self-hosted
- Works with local models
- Popular open-source project
- Requires your own server
- Answer quality depends on model
Which one should you choose?
Choose Consensus if you want:
- Answers grounded in studies
- Useful study-quality filters
- Easy for non-experts
Watch out: free plan has few pro searches.
Choose Vane if you want:
- Fully private when self-hosted
- Works with local models
- Popular open-source project
Watch out: requires your own server.
Consensus vs Vane FAQ
What is the difference between Consensus and Vane?
Consensus: AI search engine that answers questions from peer-reviewed studies. Vane: Self-hosted open-source AI search engine, formerly Perplexica. Both are research & search tools.
Is Consensus or Vane cheaper?
Vane is completely free, while Consensus is freemium.
Do Consensus and Vane have free plans?
Consensus: Yes. Vane: Yes, fully free.
Who makes Consensus?
Consensus is made by Consensus, based in United States.
Who makes Vane?
Vane is made by ItzCrazyKns.
Which should I choose, Consensus or Vane?
Choose Consensus if you value answers grounded in studies and useful study-quality filters. Choose Vane if you value fully private when self-hosted and works with local models.